Prophylaxis

Definition

Prophylaxis is the prevention of disease through various measures, such as vaccines or hygiene practices. It aims to prevent the onset of infection by preemptively boosting immune defenses.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Prophylaxis can be active, such as vaccines that stimulate an immune response, or passive, like administering antibodies directly.
2. Vaccines are a key form of prophylaxis in adaptive specific host defenses and work by exposing the immune system to antigens without causing disease.
3. The effectiveness of prophylaxis depends on factors like the pathogen's incubation period and the timing of intervention.
4. Herd immunity is an important concept in prophylactic strategies, where vaccinating a significant portion of a population helps protect those who are unvaccinated.
5. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) involves administering treatment after exposure to a pathogen but before symptoms appear.

Review Questions

• What is the difference between active and passive prophylaxis?
• How do vaccines function as a form of prophylaxis?
• Explain how herd immunity contributes to the effectiveness of vaccination programs.

Related terms

Vaccine: A biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease.

Antigen: A substance that induces an immune response, often used in vaccines to trigger immunity.

Herd Immunity: Resistance to the spread of contagious diseases within a population due to a high proportion of individuals being immune.